Difference Between Digital Signature and Electronic Signature

Key Difference – Digital Signature vs Electronic Signature
 

The key difference between digital signature and electronic signature is that the electronic signature is just a representation of a person’s handwritten signature, voice print or symbol in an electronic image form while the digital signature is a secure electronic signature that uses a cryptographic technique. The digital signature cannot be tampered, altered or copied and guarantees non-repudiation and data integrity.

Today’s society has become more reliant on technology and digital processes. Business has become more automated than ever before. Industry sectors have become more tech savvy and so has the customer base. In the last ten years, a plethora of electronic devices has stepped into the market and companies have felt the need to replace the paper-based process with a more efficient model. The models that are replacing these traditional models include the electronic signature and digital signature technologies.

CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Digital Signature
3. What is Electronic Signature
4. Side by Side Comparison – Digital Signature vs Electronic Signature

What is an Electronic Signature

Basically, electronic signatures are equivalent to your hand-written signature, but can be used in confirming the content of the document.

An electronic signature is like a paper signature and consists of a legal concept. Electronic signatures can have the following components.

• Capture of internet
• Data authentication
• A method of signing
• User authentication

Electronic signatures are preferred as they are easy to use. Customers have the ability to sign a document with just a click of the mouse, or by using their finger to trace the handwritten signature onto the document. Electronic signatures are an image placed on the document and cannot show if someone had tampered with the document after it had been signed.

Figure 1: Types of Signature

What is a Digital Signature?

Digital signature can be referred to as an encryption or decryption technology which is built on an electronic signature solution. A digital signature is not an electronic signature type. digital signature encryption helps in securing the data that is associated with the signed document. It also helps in verifying the authenticity of the related document. It does not capture the intent of a person to sign a document or is legally bound by a contract or agreement.

Common concerns with organisations and individuals with paper-based documents included, forged signatures, claims that the document has been tampered with. For verification, validation notaries were invented and can be traced back to the times of ancient Egypt. Even today notaries play a key part in assuring transaction between parties.

The same problem exists with electronic documents, Digital signatures help in solving this problem and are the online equivalent of the notary. When a digital signature is applied to a document, cryptographic operation helps in binding the data being signed and digital certificate into a unique fingerprint. The uniqueness of both these components is what the digital signature a viable replacement to a traditional wet ink signature.

The cryptographic operation verifies and assures the following.

• Document authenticity
• Verify source
• Document is tamper free – if the document has been tampered with, the digital signature would be displayed as invalid.
• A trusted organization has verified your identity.

The simple presence of a digital signature on a document does not ensure the integrity. Its application on the electronic signature for support is very important. Both electronic signature and digital signature will ultimately result in persuasive and legally binding evidence, peace of mind among parties, and a document that consists of a faster workflow.

Electronic signatures are not regulated as digital signatures are. When compared with digital signatures, electronic signatures lack secure coding. Digital signature technology is mainly used to link the identity of the signature to the document at the time of signing.

When the document is signed with a digital signature, the fingerprint of the document is permanently embedded into the document. As the information is embedded into the document you will not need to check back with the vendor the verify if the is secure. Most countries accept digital signatures as they comply with international security and standards.

What is the difference between Electronic Signature and Digital Signature?

Image Courtesy:
1. “Signature Types” By Baskhuu1025 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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